Reality

9

Nick's POV

Naturally, that night my first instinct was to be clingy and attached because I keep remembering how Tish wanted me and Miley to have some time apart.

"You're so stupid," Miley chuckled but then her tone trailed off to a groan, full of annoyance "Get off me!"

Was I wrong to have been so anxious that I wrapped (suffocated) my small fiance into a tight spoon as we laid on our sides on the bed?

"When does she want you to leave?" I asked.

"Nick! She's probably just bluffing." She sighed "Stop it."

"I think she means it. In fact, she could barge in and take you away." I said. I was serious.

"Oh my god," She muttered "Can you get separation anxiety once I'm actually out of your sight?"

"Nope. Not risking it."

"You're so annoying, which is weird because I'm supposed to be the annoying and clingy one." She said and then paused "Maybe because I realized I'm so superior I can leave you and still be okay, but you ain't shit without me and you realized you'd be dead without me."

I quickly unwrapped my arms around her and drew away as far as I could, making her erupt into laughter. "Sorry for hurting your fragile masculinity!" She continued laughing.

"Ha-ha. Very funny." I muttered "Can we please talk about our parents?"

"I know my mom just said that out of spite. She doesn't control me or you."

"Well, my mom is an emotional emotional-manipulator and will play the victim until she gets what she wants."

"Hmm. Sounds familiar."

"Fuck off, Miley." I snapped which just made her cackle "I don't play the victim."

"You? I'm talking about myself." She smirked "We both know our parents, nothing will get out of hand. Let's sleep on it, okay?"

Right on cue, I yawned. I was having anxiety on top of anxiety, and knew that it'll be hard to sleep anyway, but I was damn tired. Being worried needs a lot of energy, and it'll be unfair to Miley. She's being optimistic, I shouldn't keep her up with my stupid delusions "Good night, then."

"Night." She said and flicked off the lights. And I was right, it was pointless to sleep. It didn't even feel like a wink, the next thing I knew was dragging myself out of bed when it was light and going downstairs to find Miley with Tish.

"Good morning, Nick." She greeted indifferently "I'm sorry for coming here so early...I brought you kids some waffles and toast to make it up."

"Uh, you don't have to." I offered, walking over to fix myself a cup of coffee, Miley flinched at my voice "You sound terrible. Did you get any sleep?"

"Mhm," I lied into my cup.

"I'm guessing our little family's unresolved issue kept you up," Tish guessed, I smirked politely in attempt to deny it, but she nodded understandingly "Nick, I hope you know I don't mean those things I said about your mom."

"Did the director asked you to say it?" I asked.

"Not exactly. He just asked me to say things for the video tape, he told me to really get angry so I did...but I also thought me and Denise had an understanding."

"If you knew that why were you shocked about what Denise said about you?" Miley pointed out.

"Honey, me and Denise were together the whole day. We got along well, as far as I was concerned if she didn't like me she'd say tolerable cruel things not such violent things."